I think palat is the smartest guy on the ice with the speed will and determination to follow. Is amazing to watch him playing D and always being in the right position to make the steal stop the pass start a rush.
He is special I get he will not get selke votes this year but I think he will be first forward in a very long time to win one. He is very very very good way better than advertised or expected.
I got to attribute that to his hockey sense and IQ he reminds me of datsyuk a ton but when he is in the middle on pk or during another teams offensive series hes like another defensemen and plays like lidstrom never out of position always making the right moves if you watch he doesnt just steal the puck or block a shot he actually starts the puck transition more often than not and that is knowing where to be.
Kid is going to be GREAT perhaps ELITE.
I get the hype on Mackinnon and age factors year etc. can see him winning the calder but palat truly deserves it for that defense. Maybe this year they can TIE? Think that would be fair.
To me Palat is probably our most important player moving forward.
Great news is vladdy namestnikov has a lot of the same characteristics that make palat great so if he can just be close
WE WIN WE WIN WE WIN haha.
I wont mind palat not getting the calder cause truly mack had a great year but defensively is no comparison to the work palat did this year.